Jill Lorentz is the owner and operator of Summit Resilience Training. Jill became interested in learning more about Dementia and dementia related illnesses, (including Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, and Frontal Temporal) its symptoms and challenging behaviors, when her mom, Delores P. Fleming, formerly of Decatur, Illinois became ill with the disease at age 58. Dee, as she was known to her family and friends, lived with the disease for the better part of 23 years, until her death at age 81 on August 25, 2012. The Fleming family donated $20 Thousand dollars for research and education of dementia and dementia related illnesses in 2013.

After 32 hours of Dementia training, Jill began volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter in 1996. She also joined the AWARE coalition (Alzheimer’s Women’s Alliance for Research & Education) in 1996 and remained part of the group until 2006. While working on the HELPLINE, Jill reviewed the books for sale for the Association and gave feedback on their strength and effectiveness. In 1998, Jill began assisting Pat Felice with the Getting Started Classes at the Association and continued for several years. In 2001, she took on a new role teaching the Savvy Caregiver Class and continued until 2007. Jill also served on the Education Symposium and Programs Committee for the next several years. In 2011, while still volunteering for the HELPINE, she accepted a position on staff at the Alzheimer’s Association as the Manager of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Denver, and held that position until 2015. During that time, and with Jill’s guidance, the Walk raised nearly 4 million dollars for support, education and research. In 1998, Jill and her immediate family became involved in a research study with Washington University in St. Louis, and now more than 50 family members are involved. The program is for Alzheimer’s familial history, and has expanded to a Frontal Temporal Dementia study in the past two years. Jill’s family donated Dee’s brain to science for the study through Washington University in St. Louis. Jill attended the University of Phoenix while working, volunteering, and raising her family in Denver, Colorado.   She and her husband Jim have lived in the Denver area for over 30 years. Jim Lorentz is on the Speaker’s Bureau for the Alzheimer’s Association and teaches Alzheimer’s training to law enforcement.